Resident satisfaction with city services continues to climb

Every two years, since 2005, City government reaches out to residents through an independently conducted, statistically valid survey to find out what you think about city services, programs and events. I’m happy to report that your satisfaction is continuing to climb in many areas, though there are a few areas you say need continued work.

Let’s start with the positive. Satisfaction with city services is at an all-time high. While Durham saw an increase of 21 points in overall satisfaction with city services since 2005, satisfaction ratings in other U.S. cities dropped by seven points!

Eight in 10 people:

-- Rated the city as an “excellent” or “good” place to live or work.

-- Were happy with garbage collection and recycling services.

-- Were happy with the city’s customer service and courteousness.

Most people in Durham feel safe -- whether it’s in their neighborhoods (86 percent), parks or downtown. In fact, feelings of safety have been steadily improving for the past five years.

Nearly 2 of 3 residents are happy with:

-- Parks and recreation programs as well as greenways and trails.

-- Code enforcement efforts to improve the appearance of homes in their neighborhoods.

-- Utility services, including water services.

Although we’re improving in many areas, residents still want the city to strengthen its emphasis on specific areas including street maintenance, police protection and the flow of traffic. Your feedback about streets, indicating that they have improved since major work in 2011 and 2012 but should be a continued focus, is especially important. As always, our quest to improve safety will continue to be top priority, along with the flow of traffic, as Durham exits the recession with more construction throughout the city.

As your mayor and city council, we take survey results very seriously, especially as we prepare the 2014-15 budget and decide how to spend your tax dollars. This survey is just one of many ways, including Coffees with Council, Neighborhood College, Durham One Call, Durham Television Network , and our social media sites, that the city listens to and communicates with our residents.

I invite you to learn more about what city residents are saying by visiting the City’s website at www.DurhamNC.gov. You can also learn more about the City’s strategic plan -- Durham’s Got It! -- and how it also supports the efforts to make Durham a great place to live, work, and play.